Baihakki: Everyone sacrificed and contributed to MSL win

By Khalis Rifhan

The LionsXII defender hailed the team effort behind his first domestic title and believes they all deserved it

LionsXII defender Baihaikki Khaizan has added the Malaysian Super League (MSL) title to his trophy cabinet alongside the numerous accolades he was won with the Singapore national team after beating Felda United 4-0 on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old has lifted regional honours with the Lions but if the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) had acceded to his transfer request earlier in the year, he would not have been able to be part of this historical moment.

“This is my first domestic title and personally it is an achievement for me and by winning medals, it certainly builds a winning mentality in us and that will give us the drives to go forward for the Malaysia Cup,” Baihakki said.

“Sometimes things happen and I decided to stay and of course some did not think that we could be here today carrying the MSL trophy.

“Eventually throughout the season, we built character and confidence and belief in ourselves as well. Credit does not go to only one or two players; it goes out to everyone.

“All of us sacrificed and contributed to this and we were fantastic this year and we all deserved it.”

The former Geylang International and Persija Jakarta player has been suspended several times this season due to his accumulation of yellow cards and had to witness the title-winning match against Felda from the stands.

Standing in for Baihakki was Shakir Hamzah, whom the former feels has the potential to achieve success in the years to come.

“I am sure it is not easy for him to be playing at left-back or centreback but [in] football nowadays, you have to be versatile and at least be able to play more than one position," Baihakki pointed out.

“It is a good experience for him as well and he has coped well with it and I definitely feel he has a bright future.”